The Japanese government is trying to change the working environment for Japanese mothers in order to encourage greater participation in the workforce. (Source: TVAsahi/CNN)

TOKYO (TV Asahi/CNN) – The government is now reaching out to an underutilized demographic – highly skilled mothers.

In Japan, with its aging population and shrinking birthrate, increased female participation in the workforce, or womeonmics as it’s been dubbed, matters.

In April Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made womenomics key to his future growth strategy, making proposals around tax incentives for working mothers, better daycare and an increase in female representation on executive boards . . .